Four layers — drums, bass, melodies, and vocal elements — can be split via MPC Stems. Akai Pro states each layer processes out with little to no artifacts in the processing. 

The process of extracting stems in MPC Stems is simple: Load or record a sample and then press “Create Stems.” Selected audio from the four separation layers are then ready for use inside MPC software. 

Volume, Pitch and Pan are available, either working individually or linking across each stem layer for simultaneous parameter control.

From there, Akai’s MPC environment with audio editing, automation and more is ready to use. Each stem separated will keep its separated regions on the MPC pads, even after editing. 

Additionally, any stem software separation done on an MPC Desktop is transferrable to a standalone MPC device. 

Pricing and Availability

MPC Stems costs $9.99 from the Akai Pro store.  The app works with MPC 2 Desktop Software version 2.14 and above. MPC Beats is not compatible with the stem separation software. 

MPC Stems is currently not available for Standalone mode. Stem separation capability nonetheless works for the following products in “Controller Mode”: MPC Live Series, MPC One, MPC One +, MPC X, MPC Xse, MPC Key 61, MPC Key 37, and MPC Studio Mk2.

Find more information and purchase MPC Stems on Akai’s website.

Over 700 apps are already optimized for the augmented reality device, yet two at the moment work for music creation and curation: Moog Music‘s Animoog Galaxy and Algoriddim‘s Djay Pro. Both apps carry an array of features that cater to Apple Vision Pro’s “spatial computing” features like hand gestures, eye tracking and more.

Selector takes a further look at the standout features from the newest AR/VR versions of these apps. Read on for more information on each one.

Animoog Galaxy

Animoog Galaxy is an Apple Vision Pro version of Animoog Z, the iPad app released in 2021 that Moog calls a “Multisensory Synthesizer.”

Animoog Galaxy uses Moog’s proprietary “Anisotropic Synth Engine,” allowing the X/Y/Z axis shaping of unique timbres to create many different soundscapes. Graphically, Animoog Galaxy enhances the virtual user experience with “a futuristic user interface that takes cues from popular sci-fi imagery.”

Selecting and dragging the orbit path using Vison Pro’s hand gestures allows the instrument to move through various timbres and sounds. Over 120 presets are ready to use for Animoog Z for easy setup and play.

Like the Animoog Z, Galaxy comes with an expressive keyboard, MIDI Out for external keyboards, and MPE support. Moog’s standard four-pole filter, delay effects, and looper are also included of Animoog Galaxy.

Animoog Galaxy includes backwards compatibility with presets and timbres from Animoog Z.

Algoriddim Djay Pro

Algoriddim Djay Pro adds Apple Vision Pro support to its app, turning its flagship software into an augmented reality DJ booth.

Djay Pro’s notable turntable setup becomes three-dimensional, Technics-like turntables in the Vision Pro app. The virtual setup includes a fully interactive stylus, mixer and pitch fader controls.

A selected song in Djay Pro then renders out as a floating 3D vinyl record with a sleeves. From there, Vison Pro motion commands also open panels in the app to select songs and place the “vinyl” on the platters. 

Audio effects, “Neural Mix” stem separation, and features available across each iOS platform are in the Vision Pro version (but Neural Mix is not available for Apple Music or TIDAL streaming). Djay Pro’s graphics options also include customizable VR/AR visual backgrounds and spatial video effects using hand motions. 

Apple Music

Apple Music integration is also now part of Algoriddim Djay’s already vast streaming service accessibility. Connecting to Apple Music grants access to Apple’s entire library. In the app, a selected Apple Music track also renders the artwork of the release as the “sleeve art” of the 3D vinyl.

Pricing, Compatibility and Availability

The Apple Vision Pro costs $3,499 and is available now to purchase at Apple.com. Find more info on the Apple website.

Animoog Galaxy for Apple Vision Pro costs $29.99 and is available now on the App Store. More information is available on the Moog Music website. 

Algoriddim Djay is free to use and available now on the App Store. A “Pro” subscription to Djay is required to gain access to Apple Vision Pro and its features. A monthly Pro subscription is $6.99; an annual subscription is $49.99. At the moment, Algoriddim is currently offering a free seven-day trial for all users to test out Djay Pro. Existing Apple Music subscribers can get a free two-month trial for subscribing.

Algoriddim Djay and Animoog Galaxy require visionOS1.0 and later versions to work. Find more information about Djay on Algoriddim’s website.

These new additions add hundreds of new presets, covering many popular styles and genres of modern music. The new update comes after Arturia recently gave significant discounts on their previous version (V Collection 9) during the Cyber Holiday sales events.

Read on for Selector‘s breakdown of the new instruments and updates in V Collection X.

MiniFreak V

Arturia’s 37-key polyphonic, six-voice multi-oscillator synthesizer is now available in V Collection X. Originally released as a standalone plugin in early 2023, the MiniFreak V comes with 300 unique presets for easy use upon startup.

Added enhancements include an “advanced” panel for fine-tune modulations and routing, and mirroring is available for owners of the physical MiniFreak, allowing full parameter control of the Minifreak V. The new “sequencer view” adds access to create complex arpeggios and automation for intricate and unique arrangements.

Connecting any Arturia Lab-branded controller gives full mapping, along with easy-to-use setup to map to other controllers.

Acid V

The Acid V is Arturia’s Roland TB-303 Bassline clone, with many more modern features included in the software than in its physical version.

Arturia enhances the iconic acid house synth with two-octave range sub oscillators, 14-algorithm distortion, a dedicated sequencer, modulation control, and more. An effects panel is also on the Acid V, with 4 FX slots and 17 total FX settings.

Over 150 factory presets and 350 sequence presets are also added on the Acid V, along with MTS-ESP (Microtuning) compatibility. Drag-and Drop MIDI is part of the Acid V; users can arrange sequences and use the MIDI data with other instruments.

CP-70 V

The CP-70 V is a faithful emulation of the Yamaha CP-70, the go-to electroacoustic keyboard of many artists from the ’70s through today.

Arturia’s modern features on the CP-70 V start with a full, three-band equalizer and a chainable effects array with 16 assignable settings. The “Twin AMP FX” setting changes the sound of the CP-70 V, giving it a more Fender Twin or Leslie-like keyboard sound.

An “age option” allows the detuning of the plugin to sound like an older, untuned Yamaha CP-70. There are over 50 factory presets moving between classic grand piano, electric keyboard and other styles of keyboards.

The CP-70V’s “Advanced ” screen allows for more intricate control over velocity response, tuning, timbre shift and other parameters. Arturia V Collection X also includes pedal and key noises for the CP-70 V that replicate the sound of playing a physical CP-70.

Augmented BRASS, GRAND PIANO and WOODWINDS

The Augmented series of instruments come with “production-ready” pianos, brass and woodwind instruments, making it suitable for users writing game scores and movie soundtracks.

Each Augmented plugin is a mix of high-quality recorded and processed samples, along with other abstract plugins. A “flexible” synth engine is present in each device, allowing the user to add more details in their sound design. This engine carries ranges of synthesizers, including granular, virtual analogue, and more.

As a whole, seven additional macros outfit the Augmented plugins: Time, FX A/B, Motion, Delay, Color and Reverb. Each also comes with two LFOs, two Random Generators, two Function Generators, and four Keyboard modulation sources. A 16-step arpeggiator and over 300 presets comes standard for each plugin.

Rounding out these powerful plugins is a standout feature found in the Augmented WOODWIND plugin. It is the only plugin in the series that works alongside MIDI Polyphonic Expression, or MPE-compatible controllers and DAWs.

Synth Rebuilds: Mini V and Wurli V (V3)

The Mini V is Arturia’s triple-oscillator, six-voice synthesizer emulation of the Moog Music Minimoog keyboard from the ’70s and ’80s.

The Mini V’s rebuild adds a stronger sound engine, more modulation, a polymetric arpeggiator, and four “keyboard expressivity” (MPE) modes. “Filter Bass Compensation” raises or lowers resonance or cutoff on Mini V’s filters without losing is lower-end frequencies. 150 factory-ready presets are available for quick use in the Mini V, covering basses, leads, pads and more.

Wurli V‘s Wurlitzer rebuild adds new preset palettes and a pedal rig with four FX slots and 16 FX types. 64 Different presets cover many different styles of keyboards and tonal qualities of the Wurli V.

The Mini V and Wurli V instruments also come with an “Advanced” panel, giving users ability to control and connect many parameters across each device.

Pricing and Compatibility

The Arturia V Collecton X costs $599. The entire collection is available for both Mac and Windows computers and is installed using the Arturia Software Center (ASC).

The MiniFreak V, Acid V, CP-70 V, Mini V 4 and Wurli V 3 cost $199 separately. The Augmented BRASS, Augmented GRAND PIANO and Augmented WOODWIND series cost $99 separately.

For current owners of the V Collection 9, upgrading to V Collection X costs $199. Additionally, A $99 upgrade to V collection X is for current owners holding a license of V collection 9 and at least three V Collection X instruments.

Find more information on Arturia’s website.

Moog Music‘s Mariana Bass Synthesizer is a new software the company calls its “next evolution of Bass.”

The company explains in detail the features of Mariana on their website:

“Mariana is a dual-layer synthesizer, allowing you to mix together two completely different synthesizer sounds that can dynamically complement each other or be played duophonically. Each layer is built around two oscillators … with a sub-oscillator adding even more low end weight.

Two resonant Moog filters and a third filter specifically for the sub-oscillator let you shape your sound… Mariana is optimized for quickly fine-tuning stereo content while simultaneously preserving a powerful mono bass foundation.

Warm tube, tape, and overdrive saturation and a tight compressor add heaviness and glue to your bass lines while an illuminating real-time metering section lets you monitor your sounds and dial them in to a professional standard… Whether designing your own bass tones from scratch or using one of the 200 included presets as a starting point, Mariana is an accessible and versatile tool for any modern production environment. [Although] Mariana is optimized for bass, it is fully capable of producing strong leads, punchy percussion, and multidimensional effects…

Nearly every parameter of Mariana can be modulated internally via MIDI, MPE, and virtual CV to build an interconnected ecosystem right in your DAW.”

The Mariana Bass Synthesizer starts at an introductory price of $49 (Originally $99) for Mac 11.7 Intel and Apple Silicon and Windows 10 64-bit versions. The iOS version is $19 (Originally $29.99) for iOS versions. Mariana comes in VST3, AudioUnit, and Pro Tools AAX formats and standalone AUv3 for Mac.

Find more information and buy Mariana on the Moog Music website.

A new GPU-powered editor lets users “create the most complex of control layouts with ease and precision.” Opening multiple instances of TouchOSC allows synchronized editing, with a scripting engine for creation of more complex surface layouts. Local messages are available by simply connecting controls to TouchOSC to see their basic values.

Every type of wired and wireless MIDI connection is now on TouchOSC including MIDI via USB for Android and iOS. The new update also includes OSC over User Data Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Data Protocol (TCP) IP connections.

TouchOSC v1.2.2 costs $11.99 on the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore. Each license for mobile versions come separate based on their distributing stores.

The desktop edition of TouchOSC costs a one-time license fee of $23. Find more information on TouchOSC’s website.

Predatohm

Predatohm works as a four-band distortion with compressor and expander features for each band. 13 distortion types for each band are available, along with a widener for mono to stereo processing and a feedback generator.

Symptohm

Symptohm is a synthesizer made up of what Ohmforce calls “two SyncGrain Oscillators,” (or SGOs). Both oscillators function as granular synth and sample players, ring-modulatable sub oscillators, and noise generators.

Symptohm also uses an audio sample as a waveform source, allowing for stretching, pitch-shifting and more.

Hematohm

Hematohm works by shifting the frequency straightforward, rather than removing harmonics. An LFO with ten waveforms and a delay can add dynamics and other elements to any audio signal passing through it.

Over 1,000 presets come standard with Hematohm for starting ideas quickly. An additional manual for the Hematohm goes over more complex synthesis ideas, features, and techniques in detail.

How to Download

Clicking the “Get” button and creating an account with a name and email address on the Ohmforce page unlocks the plugin downloads. Each free plugin comes with its unique login and password for full registration of the software. During install, an option for a classic or 2000s-style “Funky” skin design is available for each plugin.

Ohmforce plugins work with Windows and macOS; Apple Silicon machines do not support these plugins. Find more information and download the free plugins on Ohmforce’s website.

While Apple’s iPad carries many iOS apps that cater to music creation, more app creators lean towards iPhone and iPod-compatible programs. With Logic Pro for iPad, Logic’s desktop-standard features are portable on the iPad, using its various multi-touch functions.

“We’re excited to introduce Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad, allowing creators to unleash their creativity in new ways and in even more places,” said Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Bob Borchers. “With a powerful set of intuitive tools designed for the portability, performance, and touch-first interface of iPad, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro deliver the ultimate mobile studio.”

Sound Browser, Instruments & Plugins

A new sound searching function in Logic for iPad makes for easy creativity and navigating complex projects. The browser shows Over 100 built-in and uploaded effects, instruments and plugins on the iPad in a simple window, including sound auditioning. For instruments, multi-touch functionality lets users work on the iPad with various surfaces, like strings and piano.

New Production Tools

Logic for iPad debuts new music production tools that use many of the iPad’s touchscreen capabilities. Sample Alchemy, a “sample manipulation” plugin, allows the user to “transform any audio at the tap of a finger.” Drum Machine Designer allows the creation of custom sounds into a drumkit, enhancing them using any available effects and plugins. A more unique plugin is Live Loops, allowing users to build arrangements by matching and mixing musical loops.

Pro Mixer

Logic’s Pro Mixer comes standard on the iPad, giving users tools to mix down a song completely on the device. Multi-touch capability allows toggling and control of multiple tracks and plugins, along with a mixer bridge for quick level viewing.

Import & Export

Users can export a track directly from the iPad or continue the project on the desktop version of Logic. Logic for iPad exports different lossless and compressed formats, as well as track stems for mixing in other applications. GarageBand project files can open in Logic for iPad, allowing users of the bare-bones app to use Logic’s more advanced features.

Final Cut Pro compatibility between Logic for iPad projects is also available, ideal for music scoring and other productions.

Pricing, Availability and Compatibility

Since Tuesday, May 23rd, Logic Pro for iPad has been available on the App Store for $4.99/month or $49/per year with a one-month free trial. Logic Pro will be available on A12 Bionic chip iPad models or later.

Logic Pro for iPad requires iPadOS 16.4. Find more information and purchase Logic Pro for iPad and Final Cut Pro on Apple’s website.

Updates and additions to the Essential bundle will be for select plugins, while the Ultimate bundle will receive new plugins regularly.

The Ultimate plan comes with Waves’ latest Spherix compressor and limiter suite, suitable for users working in Dolby 7.1+ mixing environments.

StudioVerse is available in both bundles. The plugin uses AI-search to create many combinations of audio mixing chains.

Waves’ Essential bundle offers over 110 plugins to choose from at $14.99/month; the Ultimate bundle offers over 220 plugins at $24.99/month. Both come with a two-month free trial of sample software Splice Sounds+.

On Twitter, Waves stated that owners of individual Waves plugins will continue to carry the license. The license is nonetheless only valid for the latest version installed before the release of Creative Access.

Find more information and purchase subscription plans on Waves’ website. 

The MiniFreak V carries the same standout features of its physical counterpart. Described as a “spontaneous” and “experimental” virtual instrument, the MiniFreak V combines analogue and digital circuitry to create unique sound structures. It carries dual sound engines and “analogue” response modeled around the MiniFreak’s polyphonic multimode filters.

It also carries three stereo effect slots, a unique arpeggiator, and a sequencer. The MiniFreak V being a virtual instrument allows multiple instances of the plugin as well as automation in any DAW. The software version also carries improvements to its overall UX/GUI.

MiniFreak V is available for Mac and Windows computers and is installed using the Arturia Software Center (ASC).

The MiniFreak V costs $199; it is available for an introductory price of $99 until February 2nd, 2023. Additionally, purchasing the MiniFreak V with the latest version of Arturia’s V Collection 9 unlocks a special bundle deal at $599.

Find more information and purchase the MiniFreak V on Arturia’s website.

Limited information is available, but per a press release (via Digital Trends), the new feature is currently in its testing phase. The “DJ” feature is only available at the moment to U.S.-based subscribers, but listening to the HiFi Plus member’s “session” is open to all users.

HiFi Plus members on the iOS-only beta app can now share full albums and songs with text and emojis. From there, users can share the playlists via social media or text message.

This adds to TIDAL’s growing list of features; a free tier of its streaming service recently debuted. The free tier offers a lower listening quality than its paid services and carries no offline listening. Along with this, TIDAL uses limited interruptions to educate listeners about the music industry.

A first-of-its-kind royalty format is also a part of TIDAL’s feature list, allowing users to give a share of their subscription fee as royalty to their most listened to artists.

TIDAL HiFi Plus is available for $14.99 per month. TIDAL HiFi is available for $9.99 per month. Both services come with a 30-day free trial.

Find more information as it develops and apply for beta access on Tidal’s website.